Assemblies, which fail to implement EU projects to be sanctioned

Tamale, Jan. 19, GNA- Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister has warned that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, which fail to follow the guidelines for the implementation of the European Union (EU) micro-projects would be sanctioned.

He said it had come to his notice that some assemblies had either completely failed to execute the projects or abandoned them half way while still some assembly officials had bolted away with EU Funds. Alhaji Idris gave the warning when he launched the second phase information and education campaign of income generating projects of the 6th Microprojects programme in Tamale on Friday. The Regional Minister also expressed concern over the misuse of EU vehicles by some officials of the assemblies who had hijacked them as their personnel property and were not releasing them for official duties.

Alhaji Idris said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) would set up an audit inspecting team to identify all EU Microprojects in the beneficiary districts to ascertain whether the projects had actually been executed.

He said for the smooth implementation of the projects, the micro project management unit should ensure that the district assemblies and the appropriate line Ministries were extensively involved in the planning process.

Mr. Kwabena Darfoor Programme Manager of the Micro-Projects Management Unit (MPMU) said the 6th Micro-Projects Programme aims at increasing access and utilisation of good quality basic social and economic infrastructure and services to deprived communities. The project would also introduce an income generation component.